Recoil apparatus for ordnance



( 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

S. P. HATFIELD. REUOIL APPARATUS FOR URDNANCE No. 439,947. Patented Nov. 4, 1890.

BEST AVAILABLE COP (No'ModeL) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

S. P. HATFIELD. REGOIL APPARATUS FOR ORDNANGE.

Patented Nov. 4, 1890.

358T AVAILABLE (30F (No Model.) 3vSheetsSheet 3.

S. P. HATFIELD. REGOIL APPARATUS FOR ORDNANGE.

Patented Nov. 4,1890.

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6 sa W 44 5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL P. HATFIELD, OF JAMAICA, NElV YORK.

RECOIL APPARATUS FOR ORDNANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,947, dated November 4:, 1890.

Application filed September 30, 1889. $erial No. 325,517. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL P. HATFIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Jamaica, in the county of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lifting-Platforms for Ordnance, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The present invention relates generally to mechanism for operating ordnance, and it relates particularly to vertically-movable platforms adapted for use in fortifications to raise heavy cannon or ordnance to the firing position and to lower the same to the position of loading, as well asto traverse the gun or move it circularly when in the firing position.

The invention consists generally of an up right cylindrical platform arranged within a suitable pit and counterbalanced in partor whole by suitable weights and provided with hydraulic apparatus by which it is vertically moved, which platform carries a turn-table upon which is arranged the gun-carriage and un. b It also consists in a special arrangement and combination, with the gun and carriage, of recoil cylinders and springs, by which the recoil of the gun is transmitted to the surrounding masonry or to an abutment specially constructed for this purpose.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation view of the platform in its lowermost position,the cylindrical platform and the masonry being in section on a vertical plane passing through the center of the platform. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a section similar to that of Fig. 1, except that the gun is shown raised to the shooting position. Fig.

' 4 is a plan view of the platform with the turnaxis of the cylinder are attached to the parts I of a lifting hydraulic ram or piston D, and has upon its outer surface brackets E, that carry wheels F, bearing on the vertical guiderails Gr, secured in or to the masonry of the pit.

H are posts arranged between the bulkheads, and support at their upper ends pulleys I, over which run chains J, that are attached to the lower end of the platform and to counter-weights K, which in combined weight are less than the weight of the platform and its load.

L is a turn-table, which is centrally pivoted to the platform, and is provided with tangentwheels M, running on a marginal track on the platform. The top of this platform is formed into ways N, upon which the chassis O of the gun rests onthe slides P, and is free to move back and forth thereon.

The generalform of the chassis and its connections with the gun and gun-carriage are similar to those of the common forms of such structures, and so do not call for further description.

On the under side of the chassis and attached to its middle slide is a bracket Q, Fig. 3, to which are attached the outer ends of the piston-rods R, Figs. 5 to 7, of the cylinders S. These cylinders communicate with each other at their rear ends, and are loosely hung in the cross-pieces T, so that they may have 1011- gitudinal motion therein, and at their sides they carry lugs U, between which and the forward crosspiece T or other parts of the chassis are arranged strong springs V, that serve to limit the motion of the cylinders and to return them when they have been driven back. The outside cylinders are designed to contain air only at such pressure as the working of the machine may require, while the middle cylinder will contain water or other similar fluid, and its piston is made adjustable in the bracket Q by the screw-nut X, so that more or less of the contents of its cylinder will be forced into the outer cylinders, as may be re quired to check or stop the recoil of the chassis at any desired point.

Y represents that portion of the fortification structure that is specially built up to serve as an abutment for the cylinders. This abutment may be of any suitable material and form, and will be arranged close enough to the cylinders so that as the gun is discharged they will strike it within the range of the movement permitted them.

Z is a pair of pneumatic cylinders carried on the platform, and which actuate the chains or ropes A, which are attached to the turntable at opposite points 13', Fig. 2, for the purpose of giving the same a circular or traverse motion. This pneumatic apparatus, as well as that that elevates the platform, is supposed to be under the control of the operator at a common position, from which it is operated at the will of the person in charge of the platform.

The operation is as follows: At its lowermost position the gun will be run back 011 the chassis, as seen in Fig. 1, and may be then charged. It may then be elevated by the operation of the hydraulic apparatus till its muzzle is above the parapet. The operation now of the pneumatic apparatus Z will cause it to sweep the horizon to bring it to cover the object of attack. \Vhen the gun is fired, the recoil will be transmitted to the recoilcylinders in the turn-table, moving them backward until the rear ends of these cylinders rest against the solid wall. When the resistance in the cylinders is sufficient to overcome the frictional resistance of the carriage on the chassis and the chassis on the turntable, the carriage will recoil to the end of the chassis. Then the pneumatic cylinders transmit the whole remaining force of the horizontal component to the wall behind. After firing the expansion of the air in the recoil-cylinders will carry the chassis to its forward position and the cylinder side springs by expanding will move the cylinders away from their abutment, thus permitting the lowering of the gun behind the parapet immediately after the discharge thereof. By these means I am enabled to make the platform structure light and capable of easy and quick manipulation, for, not being required to resist the strain of recoil, it need not be matcrially heavier than is necessary to properly support the gun.

I am aware that heretofore lifting-platforms for guns have been made and that the same have been operated by hydraulic power assisted by counter-weights, and I therefore do not broadly claim such structure; but the circular form here shown with its arrangement of bulk-heads and the counterweight-posts located between them I believe to be new.

I am also aware that various forms of pneumatic cylinders have been employed to take up the recoil force of the gun, and I claim such only in the combination and arrangement as here shown and described.

Vhat is claimed as new is 1. In combination, the turn-table L, the chassis O, mounted thereon, the recoil-cylinders S, movably supported on the turn-table and having their piston-rods attached to the chassis, whereby the force of recoil is transmitted through said cylinders to an abutment arranged in proximity to them andindependent of the chassis and its supports, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In combination, the turn-table L, carried on vertically-moving supports, the chassis O. mounted upon said turn-table, the recoil-cylinders S, movably supported on the turn-table, and having their pistons attached to the chassis, whereby the force of the recoil of the chassis is transmitted through said cylinders to an abutment independent of the chassis and gun-elevating mechanism, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In combination with the turn-table L and the chassis O, the recoil-cylinders S, movably mounted on the carriage, withsprings arranged between them and the turn-table,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

SAMUEL 1. HATFIELD. \Vitnesses:

RoBT. F. GAYLoRD, ERNEST IIoPKINsoN. 

